When I put my '96 E300D into reverse and begin to back-up, it sounds like the brakes are grabbing or if I was trying to drive on a flat tire, but that is not the case! It does reverse, and all the foward gears are smooth and without hesitation. The noise is only in reverse gear and goes away in neutral, park, or any foward gear. There is also a slight "clunk" at start-up and again at shut-off. The tranny fluid is at level and no foam or odor on the stick. This just started over the weekend and I am not using it until I can figure-out where best to take her. She has 145K miles on her and I did have a new water pump and serpentine belt installed about 3 months ago along with a 4 wheel brake job. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!

It could also be in the driveshaft or the differential. Try this: park on an uphill slope, put the tranny in neutral, and coast down the slope backwards, gently riding the brakes to keep from going too fast (this can be done with the engine running and with it shut off). If the problem still occurs, it's not in the transmission.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Where does the sound come from? Front, back, left, right?

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

It is coming from the rear of the engine compartment, more-pronounced on the right side, as if it were in the back of the right fender/wheel-well, which is why at-first, I thought it was a flat tire or brake.

I have yet to get home from work to try letting it roll backwards as suggested.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

How are your engine mounts?

Transmission Mount

Attached Thumbnails

 

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

That was my thought as well; especially as the weather has begun to change and cold/hard rubber doesn't damp vib as well.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I had done a visual inspection of the right motor mount per another thread at this forum as well as revving the engine to look for trouble, and it appeared OK, but I'm no tech! Didn't check the tranny mounts however! Perhaps these inspections are best-left to a mechanic anyway!

Thanks for all your help so-far!

The verdict is in on my E300: It indeed is the transmission! Apparantly the B3 band fragmented internally, and the shop was amazed it was still driveable. By-the-way, the tranny mount and both motor mounts were also badly worn, and may have contributed to the problem. So, the total cost of the entire job (with a tranny rebuild, torque converter, and all replacement mounts, fluids, recycling, labor, tax, etc) is setting me back $3700. The dealer wanted $6800 for the same job, but it was fresh in the crate from MB, had an extra year on the warranty, and came with a small tube of Vaseline...Thanks for everyone's suggestions and help!